GM TOP #3-02: Sewer Dragons of Absalom (Standard) (Inactive)

Game Master Pete H.

Alright, so here is the mechanical portion of this. IF you want to try to find Yiddlepode, you need to pick a play and go stake it out. You do not ALL have to go to the same play, but if only two go to the play she is at, then only those two will get a chance to talk to her. So pick wisely!

Xarcious breaths heavy, "Alright, so you know what plays there are. Good luck finding her. I need some rest though, so please come back tomorrow and let me know what you found."

Garsita gestures to her companions to leave, and then takes a moment to make sure her patient is settled in well. She then follows them out to discuss which play.

Ruinor leaves the room as requested. "Yes, I would agree Serpent's Song is the one she is most likely to attend given the subject matter and it should be less crowded. However, I think we should send at least one person to the other two just in case we are wrong. The question is if we should split up equally or send three to the most likely location, one to the least, and two to the last one. Unfortunately, I'm not sure how to rank the other two as they both could be crowded," Runior says, looking for input from the group.

Play with no goblinsss boring. {sigh}

With Cat giving him directions, Voices is likely to bring Yiddlepode back in chokehold. So you might not want to send him off by himself. Unless that is the outcome you want of course.

If we're talking about splitting up, how many good talkers do we have? Garsita is good at help, but bad to take lead. (untrained, but positive modifier)

Thyste can probably strong-arm her, given a good Intimidate score and a size advantage-- in this case, she'd be more likely to use it to bring Yiddlepode to a secondary location, where she can be more properly sweet-talked.

Mrow hisst rrerm grrrm remoroaw!

Cat sssaysss Ssself and Cat ssshould go ssswan play. Ssself and Cat not need other peoplesss help. Cat want to catch ssswan.

Out-Of-Character, splitting up is almost always a non-optimal choice. There are a few scenarios where it is pretty much necessary, but not many. But if you folks want to, I'm game to give it a go. Untrained in diplomacy/intimidate/bluff skills with +3 modifier.

Holiday tomorrow for me and probably minimal posting till Tuesday, but I’ll push us along to whatever play was suggested most, if no definitive plan is up by then.

The group decides to stick together and all scout out Serpent's Song. Considering the show does cost to get in it may be wise to stay outside and at least confirm Yiddlepode has gone in before paying.

If you are scoping out the show, please give me a Perception check.

"How much for a ticket?" grumbled Thyste.

A big poster on the wall indicates that for a mere FIVE GOLD you can enjoy the amazing wonders of the operatic experience.

Certainly this isn't the kind of thing that is intentionally pricey to prevent the poor or middle class from enjoying it... certainly.

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (16) + 3 = 19

"Well, it certainly is safer sticking together and having more eyes on the crowd should help us find her assuming this is the play she attends," Ruinor says as they make their way over to the theater.

Knowledge(Local): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (11) + 8 = 19

"Not that I've been inside for a show, but whomever enters will need to go sans armor and weapons," he states. He notices Voices staring at him blankly. "Sans means without. And they don't like pets either," he adds, pointing to the cat.

Without waiting for a response, he turns his attention to the crowd."Does anyone see her?" he asks, scanning the crowd.

Perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (15) + 4 = 19

Thyste raises an eyebrow. Without armor and weapons? I've clobbered some folks bare-handed before, but it ain't easy.

"Not sure I'd be much use in there anyway," she admits, snorting. "I'll watch our stuff."

"And hey, if a fight breaks out, it's not like security can keep me from joinin' it anyway."

No Armor? No Weaponsss?!? ... Oh is Ssself sssneaking in like pirate goblinsss? Sssoundsss funs!

Voices puts all his armor and weapons into his haversack. After a muffled conversation, he taps Cat and himself with a wand. mage armor He sticks Cat under his cloak. Ssself ready.

He will try to smuggle Cat in under his cloak. If someone catch him at it and stops him, he will shrug and drop Cat. He will assume Cat can find his own way inside to join in the fun.

"I always wanted to theatre! It is a good thing that chief Yiddlepode has taste!" Engashez says as she struts into toward the opera house with 5 gold at the ready.

Niether the cleric or the wizard see anyone who fits the description of Yiddlepode (halfling in a blue opera cloak). Whether that is just because they missed her or because she isn't there it is hard to tell. Especially because this opera seems very crowded.

The big muscular snake-like humanoid strips his weapons and armor off, dropping them at Thyste's feet for safe keeping. He tucks his cat under his cloak and heads towards the ticket gate. Everyone in the group can tell that he is very underdressed for the occasion as the crowd he is movign towards is in high quality finery. The little kobold follows, though she opts to remain fully armed and armored. At least her weapons aren't that obvious due to their size. But it is hard to say which will be noticed first by the guards, her weapons or her being a kobold.

Does anyone do anything at this point?

Especially because this opera seems very crowded.

Oh, that's a problem.

needing to let the rest of the team lead here...

"There seem to be too many people here to any of you?" Thyste mutters. "I think this is a bust. Shows tend to run long; let's see if we can catch the other one with the gnomes, maybe."

Engashez pauses and looks back, "We go to another show?"

Voices walks right up to the man taking the money. Though he will need help counting out the coins.

Any of you could stop him, but you would have to actively try to get his attention, once he has started something.

He adds, "Yeah, and I can say that she usually tries to go to poorly attended shows and has a really bright blue opera cloak, so that should help you narrow it down. I'm not sure what the current theatre scene is though."

"This hardly looks poorly-attended. Let's go make trouble somewhere else," she sneers, grabbing Voices by the wrist and leading him toward the next objective. "Let's head to The Trouble with Swans. Maybe everyone's already seen that one by now."

"Frickin' goose chase."

A couple guards that were watching the two reptilians approach slip back into the crowds as the pathfinders disappear back into the city.

Unfortunately The Trouble with Swans has already started by the time the group makes it there, so no crowds to watch for your target.

Option 1: Enter and look for Yiddlepode during the show (the same cost and restrictions apply to this show as well).

Option 2: Wait for the midnight show and scope out the crowd as they go in.

Thyste sighs and walks up to the ticket master.

"My friend here," she says, gesturing vaguely at the group of assembled Pathfinders, "has social anxiety, but really wants to see a show. Sorry we're late, but as you can imagine, we wanted to avoid the line. Can you tell us if that house is packed tonight?"

Two guards step up as the well armed and armored smoke spewing devil fox walks up to the front. They seem a bit intimidated by her, but are prepared to do their jobs if necessary.

The ticketmaster sputters out, "Uh... pretty full yeah. And you uh... sorry, can't come in with those weapons or armor. You'll have to check them." He seems to regain a bit of composure, "We are a very safe venue, after all."

He adds snootily, "Maybe check out Fall From Glory? They bombed the opening so practically no one is going anymore. I'm sure they would be happy to seat anyone, even your friends."

"Of course," snorts Thyste. "Wouldn't dream of coming to watch a show without my hands tied and a muzzle on. I'd hate to be a distraction," she grins.

"C'mon. Your socially-anxious ass is gonna get to watch some genuine carnage."

She rolls out her shoulders and waves the rest of the group along-- although she stops for a second and stares at the ticket master, eyes backlit with some otherworldly fire.

"And hey. You?"

"Thanks."

Engashez gives a nodof approval to Thyste as the walk away.

Thyste leads the pathfinders to the third and final play.

The group does recall that there are a few more days before the shipment, so if their target isn't discovered tonight, they do have more options.

The crowds are pretty sparse for the midnight showing of Fall from Glory. Apparently the nice Ticketmaster wasn't lying just to get you all to leave.

Perception checks from all please

Thyste smirks. "Wonder how they botched it?" she muses. "Kinda hope they botch it again, honestly. That would be fun to see."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (13) + 6 = 19

Ssself want sssee sssome ssshow?!?

Voices perception: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20
Cat perception: 1d20 + 16 ⇒ (16) + 16 = 32 has scent

perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (18) + 3 = 21

"This looks likely..."

Garsita, Voices and Cat all notice a small cloaked figure wearing a bright blue opera cloak slip inside very quickly.

But will anyone go in after them?

Engashez places a claw on her head and her person shifts into an image of a non-descript halfling in a blue cloak. After doing that she follows.

Isss that one Ssself needs go get? Voices points at the figure for the others, then moves to follow.

Garsita smiles at her companions, and enters the theater.

The armed and armored Kobold suddenly becomes a much less threatening person, assuming the guise of a simple halfling enjoying the opera.

The group heads up (at least the three that indicated they are going) to the entrance. The ticketmaster looks oddly at Engashez, as if they are seeing double. But that concern is quickly overcome by the sight of her large adventurer looking companions.

Two guards move in quickly to stop the group but the ticketmaster waves them back, "Hello! Welcome to the Andoran Kings production of the Chelaxian play, Fall from Glory! It is a wondrous romp through the trials and tribulations of a great nation being formed and molded. If you are squeemish about a Chelaxian opera, do not fear. We have managed to replace any of the bloodshed with illusions and sleight of hand." He seems quite proud of this aspect, though it might explain why the opera is not being well received.

He continues speaking at Engeshaz, "I can see you brought a few new opera goers with you today and that is wonderful. We love to reach out to new audiences. Unfortunately there is a very strict no weapons and armor rule in the theatre. It is a very safe and comfortable environment after all. So of you could step over to the coat check and turn those items in, we will keep them secure for you until the end of the show. Also, no pets please. Thank you!"

If you wish to use various skills to prevent total disarmament or paying the 5g entry fee, you are welcome to try them. There are consequences for failing, though it would most likely only mean you weren't allowed in.

Thyste snorts. "Illusions and slight of hand, eh? I'll be impressed if it stands up to the real thing," she grins. "Nothing quite like a hot spray of blood over your muzzle to make you feel alive."

She moves to the coat check and surrenders her dory, shield, armor, and armor.

................................So, I forgot to purchase clothing for Thyste. Uh. Are we just gonna roll with that? Because I can try to make that hilarious.

Voices still has his armor and weapons in his haversack with Cat under his cloak. He walks right up to the ticket counter and begins to laboriously count out the coins. Clearly asking the ticket master for help.
If the ticket master cheats him, that is perfectly reasonable.

Engashez tosses a small sack containing 5 gold at the ticketmaster and heads inside.

The big Nagaji easily distracts anyone from the cat-shaped lump under his cloak by being deliberate about counting out his coins which are spilled out on the table. The ticketmaster appears to be moral and helps him count out five gold.

Engeshez pays her way in easily as well.

Thyste looks down as she is removing armor and doesn't quite remember if she had on anything under it this morning. Wouldn't be the first time!

The coat check lady (ratfolk) glances up at the towering smoke spewing muscled adventurer and squeaks, "We have uh... loaner cloaks if you feel naked without the armor."

Garsita agrees to leave behind her armor and weapon and pays the ticket fee.

”Already wearing a fur coat,” sneers Thyste.

Ruinor watches as one after another of the group surrender their weapons and armor to enter. He looks around, noticing that he's the only one still outside. "Oh, I guess we're all going. Alright, wait up," he says as he leaves his weapons and pays the entrance fee.

The coatcheck ratfolk disappears under the table with another squeak at the sneering Tiefling.

All the pathfinders manage to make their way inside. A mostly naked (as much as one covered in fur can be) Thyste commands a few odd looks, but perhaps that is just due to the constant smoke escaping her mouth and nose.

Looking around for a matching halfling in a blue opera cloak, they easily locate her in a mostly empty balcony. As they arrive to the location the lights dim and the orchestra begins the intro.

How do you all approach the suspected Yiddlepode?

Thyste grins; her fur is thick enough that it's... not too awkward. Probably.

Or, at least, one should probably avoid thinking too hard or looking too closely.

She stays toward the back-- she knows she's intimidating-- and does her best to cover any easy escape routes.

There are exits to the front and the back and emergency exits over the wings.

Wait...

Engashez finds a seat as close to the suspected Yiddlepode, plops down enthusiastically, and looks at them.

Garsita settles into a seat, hopefully not far from the suspected Yiddlepode. She motions to her companions to sit and watch the first few minutes of the show first.

Voices leans over to ask Thyste in a very loud whisper, Ssself grab little person or watch ssshow?